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Another Double Murder In Corozal
posted (July 12, 2012)
Last week Wednesday, mother and daughter Clari and Shanny Federsdorf were killed execution style in Corozal town. And last night, the quiet northern town witnessed another double murder.

It's left residents reeling and police searching for answers - but to find it in this case they may have to look deep into the criminal underworld.

We found out why when we visited Corozal town today:...

Jules Vasquez reporting
Last night at 10:15 38 year old Robert Hernandez and his cousin 50 year old Kenrick Vacarro were hanging out here on sixth Avenue in front of an associate's home - a home which police say is a crack house.

They are seen here very regularly - but last night was different - because they were targeted for execution.

Vacarrio was shot here while 38 year old Hernandez ran and while the gunman pursued and he was shot in this drain:

Supt. Gualberto Garcia, O/C Corozal
"They were socializing right in front of this house. They were leaning on a vehicle when a lone man came riding a bicycle - this guy was dress in a camouflage jacket, he had on a baseball cap I understand and upon reaching immediately in front of them he came off his bicycle pulled out his firearm and fired about 8 shots in their direction."

Jules Vasquez
"Was the firearm a pistol?"

Supt. Gualberto Garcia, O/C Corozal
"We have recovered 7 expended shells from a 9mm pistol."

Jules Vasquez
"So it has the appearances of an execution. Is there any indication what may have prompted this?"

Supt. Gualberto Garcia, O/C Corozal
"From the evidence we have, when Mr. Hernandez received his first injuries, he ran away from the immediate area and he was followed by this gunman. This gunman continued firing at him and when he fell in a drain he fired about 2 more shots him. From that it would be suggested that it is a hit on him."

Paslow Kelly, Uncle of two murdered men
"Somebody who is close to them who said that it looked like they wanted to do harm to Rob, the younger of the two. Kenrick was almost a collateral damage - he was there, he tried to stop the shot and he got shot in his head, that's it."

Paslow Kelly is left to pick up the pieces - he was uncle to both men who were cousins.

He is their only relative in Belize and told us that his nephew Kenrick had multiple gunshot injuries but was alive - when he saw him at the hospital:

Paslow Kelly, Uncle of two murdered men
"He was still conscious and he was saying over and over to give him something for the pain, after 20 minutes to half an hour he succumb to his wounds. He had 4 shots; one in his arm, one in the shoulder, one in his chest and one in his lungs and the doctor believes that the bullet that killed was the one in his lungs."

So what is behind this second execution in Corozal - the second execution in exactly a week - after this mother and daughter were killed last week Wednesday:

Jules Vasquez
"Is there any chance the things are somehow related? Certainly it doesn't appears so externally but the MO is the same; walk up and kill."

Supt. Gualberto Garcia, O/C Corozal
"The MOs are the same, the differences is that the number of people that were utilize for both incidents which the first one is more suggestive now after our investigation of a home invasion that went wrong from the very beginning to this one that is a hit."

Jules Vasquez
"Sir, we have heard in the neighborhood that the area or that the personality involved Robert Hernandez was known to have under world dealings."

Supt. Gualberto Garcia, O/C Corozal
"I can confirm that information because we have dealt with him before and even the area where this incident happens is an area that police visits often."

Now these murders have pushed Corozal's murder statistics into a red zone:

Supt. Gualberto Garcia, O/C Corozal
"The recent murder last night I think surpasses the amount of murders that we had last year and we are just half year into 2012, so I think it is a matter of concern not only for the community but for us officers as well."

And handling it from the community side is the Citizen's Commission for a Better Corozal which is having an anti-crime March on Saturday

Henry Menzies, President Citizen's Commission For A Better Corozal
"The crime and violence is unacceptable. Corozal has been a peaceful community for a long time and for the crime to be escalating the way it is up and down, we cannot accept this. What we are asking the community is to participate and show the support against the violence."

Supt. Gualberto Garcia, O/C Corozal
"We need the community and they represent the community. The communities give them information and they passed it on to us because without the community we cannot solve crime Jules."

But for this family - whatever the circumstances are - they just know they have two sons and nephews to bury:

Paslow Kelly, Uncle of two murdered men
"It haven't really stomped me yet, I guess when my sister get here and start crying then I might just start crying too."

Both men had all their relatives living in the United States. Robert Hernandez was the father of one child. Police have the name of one person of interest who is being sought for questioning.

The citizen's anti-crime march is being held on Saturdayat 9:00 a.m. starting at the central park.

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